About

NOK 57,875

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He is hardly noticed behind the glass - yet he makes a whole lot of difference. Jan Erik Kongshaug's silent presence can be heard on some of the most tone-setting record releases of our time.

“The Kongshaug Effect” tells the story of the man behind Rainbow Studio. A man who has over 4,000 recordings to his name and who has worked with every great jazz musician to set foot on this earth.

“Recorded at Rainbow Studio, Oslo. Engineer: Jan Erik Kongshaug” is considered a hallmark for quality sound recording, and there are few, if any, sound engineers who can claim they have an audio style named after them: “The Kongshaug Sound".

What is so special about this guy? The man who says he does nothing apart from allowing the musicians to do their thing, and who, just to be on the safe side, has his handmade Steinway piano tuned at least twice a day

This documentary will explore how one man has managed to create a sound so unique that musicians of all ages and musical genre fly in from all corners of the world to experience. What is the Kongshaug effect? Is it "just" state-of-the-art equipment, space and acoustics, or does Jan Erik Kongshaug the person have a greater role in the soundscape than he likes to admit?

Pat Metheny, Jan Erik Kongshaug, and Arild Andersen

The film director’s intention:

With a jazz musician as a father, my brother and I had a slightly different upbringing than most, and it was not unusual to for us to hang around while he was working. You could say I grew up in jazz clubs and recording studios.

I, and especially my older brother Magnus, have spent countless hours in the legendary Rainbow Studio run by Jan Erik Kongshaug. Music is magic. It brings together people across language, culture and religion, and through the music’s vibrant language of music are unique moments one might never experience again.

While my brother followed in father’s footsteps and became a musician, I chose a career in making documentaries and TV production as a director and editor.

In 2012, I made a film about my late father and jazz musician, Frode Thingnæs. During this process I suddenly saw myself as a filmmaker and quickly found that this was what I wanted to do – to make documentaries about people and places with music at the core.

I have long wanted to make a documentary about Jan Erik Kongshaug and feel now that the time is right. With "The Kongshaug Effect", I will dive deep into the sound that everyone searches for so intensely and get to know the man with the "magic ears".

- Maren Victoria Thingnæs

WHAT DO WE REQUIRE TO PRODUCE THIS DOCUMENTARY FILM?

The kick-starter will cover expenses associated with research, recording interviews with Jan Erik Kongshaug and recording at the "Kongshaug Festival" 15-17 March.

It will also cover costs of production and recordings of interviews for the film, both with Kongshaug and some of the artists he has been collaborating with.

I need money for:

- lease of technical equipment (lighting, camera, optics)

-harddrives.

- crew (cameraman and soundman)

- transport during production

ALL DONATIONS ARE HUMBLY ACCEPTED!

JAN ERIK KONGSHAUG

• Born in 1944 in Trondheim.

• Sound engineer, producer, guitarist, bassist and composer.

• Started Rainbow Studio in 1984.

• Sound engineer for ECM since 1970; recorded albums for among others Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Gary Burton and Pat Metheny, as well as numerous Norwegian jazz musicians.

Risks and challenges

As the director of the film, I have great respect for Jan Erik Kongshaug, and I want the film to be produced in the best possible way. That is why I have established a collaboration with the experienced production company Medieoperatørene (https://www.mopfilm.com). Together, we seek to get a proper budget to make a great film.

But, this is also a story close to my heart, and I am going to make this film no matter what. By initiating this Kickstarter campaign I can get the resources I need for technical equipment and staff to make the the first and most important recordings and interviews. This is fundamental to make a good trailer, that we can use for applications to get more money for the production. This will also make it possible for me to make a low budget film independently, if needed.